Steam quality process monitor

ABSTRACT

A steam quality process monitor system and method includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a processor and memory configured: to determine a steam quality value of an input steam supply based on a reading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressure sensor; continuously update the steam quality value; and a machine that accepts the input steam supply and is at least partially controlled by the steam quality value. A steam quality process monitor system and method includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a processor and memory configured: to determine a steam quality value of an input steam supply based on a reading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressure sensor; continuously update the steam quality value; and a machine that accepts the input steam supply and is at least partially controlled by the steam quality value.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/029,580 titled “Sterile Wet Pack Detector System” filed onJul. 7, 2018 which claims priority to U.S. provisional application62/607,410 titled “Sterile Wet Pack Detector System” filed on Dec. 19,2017, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all theyteach and disclose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to steam quality sensing andmore specifically to a steam quality process monitor that detects supplysteam quality being supplied to various types of tools and equipment.

BACKGROUND

In health care, a hospital central processing department is responsiblefor sterilizing surgical instruments in preparation for use in surgicalprocedures. These instruments are cleaned, disinfected, wrapped andsterilized. Common problems associated with sterilization of wrappedpacks of surgical instruments include: verification of a proper sterilecycle and verification of proper surgical pack humidity conditionswithin the surgical pack at the end of the sterile cycle. Thesterilization process uses steam which may condense creating apotentially problematic wet-pack environment within the surgical pack atthe end of a sterile cycle. When sterile packs are opened in a surgerysetting, any sign of moisture within a surgical pack is interpreted asan unsterile condition and the instruments cannot be used. The unsterileinstruments are considered unfit and must be reprocessed. When wet-packsare found, surgical procedures may be delayed, prolonged, or canceled.

SUMMARY

A steam quality process monitor system and method includes a temperaturesensor, a pressure sensor, a processor and memory configured: todetermine a steam quality value of an input steam supply based on areading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressure sensor;continuously update the steam quality value; and a machine that acceptsthe input steam supply and is at least partially controlled by the steamquality value.

The steam quality value may be a saturation value of the input steamsupply. The steam saturation value may cause a dynamic change within acycle of the machine. The dynamic change of a cycle of the machine maybe within a dry-time cycle of the machine. The dynamic change of a cycleof the machine may be within a failure cycle of the machine. The dynamicchange of a cycle of the machine may be within a notification cycle ofthe machine. The dynamic change of a cycle of the machine may be withina sanitation cycle of the machine. The dynamic change of a cycle of themachine may be within an alarm cycle of the machine. The dynamic changeof a cycle of the machine may be within a wash cycle of the machine. Themachine may be one of a sterilizer, a dishwasher, a boiler, a steamheater, or a steam cleaner. A sterilizer steam control system comprisesa temperature sensor; a pressure sensor; a processor and memoryconfigured to: determine a steam quality value of an input steam supplybased on a reading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressuresensor; continuously update the steam quality value; and wherein thesterilizer accepts the input steam supply and is at least partiallycontrolled by the steam quality value. The sterilizer steam qualityvalue may be a saturation value of the input steam supply. Thesterilizer steam saturation value may cause a dynamic change within acycle of the sterilizer. The sterilizer dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer may be within a dry-time cycle of the machine. The sterilizerdynamic change of a cycle of the sterilizer may be within a failurecycle of the sterilizer. The sterilizer dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer may be within a notification cycle of the sterilizer. Thesterilizer dynamic change of a cycle of the sterilizer may be within asanitation cycle of the sterilizer. The sterilizer dynamic change of acycle of the sterilizer may be within an alarm cycle of the sterilizer.The sterilizer dynamic change of a cycle of the sterilizer may be withina purge cycle of the machine. The sterilizer may further comprise visualindicators representing the dynamic change within a cycle of thesterilizer.

A system and method for indicating dryness of a sterilizer productincludes taking a first humidity reading before a cycle of thesterilizer is started, taking a second humidity reading after the cycleof the sterilizer is finished, and indicating to a user a dryness of thesterilizer product based on the first humidity reading and the secondhumidity reading.

The method may include taking the first humidity reading as a result ofpushing a button. The method may include storing the first humidityreading as a baseline humidity reading as a result of pushing thebutton. The indication of the dryness may be a difference between thefirst humidity reading and the second humidity reading. The indicationof the dryness may be accomplished by turning on a red light or a greenlight based on a difference between the first humidity reading and thesecond humidity reading. The indication of the dryness of the sterilizerproducts may be accomplished by displaying to a user the first humidityreading and the second humidity reading. The first humidity reading maybe a result of one or more humidity samples before the cycle of thesterilizer is started. The second humidity reading may be a result ofone or more humidity samples after the cycle of the sterilizer isfinished. The indication of the dryness may be accomplished by soundingan alarm based on a difference between the first humidity reading andthe second humidity reading. An alarm may be sounded when the differenceis more than a predetermined threshold. A sterilizer may include asterilizer dryness device attached to the sterilizer, the sterilizerdryness device may include at least two humidity sensors, amicroprocessor, at least one humidity sample trigger, and an indicatorfor indicating a dryness of a product of the sterilizer. The sterilizermay include a motion sensor to trigger one or more samples. Theindicator may be a display, an alarm, an indicator light, or acombination thereof. The sterilizer may further comprise one or morevalves. The sterilizer may further comprise one or more fans. Thesterilizer may further comprise one or more vacuum generators. Thesterilizer may further comprise one or more indicator lights. Thesterilizer may further comprise one or more powers supplies. Thesterilizer may further comprise a door lock. The sterilizer may furthercomprise a steam quality system which calculates an input steam qualitybased on temperature and pressure of the input steam into thesterilizer.

A steam quality process monitor may additionally detect the humiditybeing emitted from the sterilizer chamber after completion of a sterilecycle. A steam quality process monitor may additionally give an operatorof a sterilizer a visual comparison of the humidity out-gassing from thesterilizer chamber and compare it with the room set valve entered beforesterilizer door was open (by pressing set button). A steam qualityprocess monitor may additionally be interfaced with sterilizers using asolenoid valve connected to an air inlet valve with piping, samplinginternal humidity. This may be accomplished by a vacuum produced by two40 mm fans located at the top of enclosure. These two fans will pullhumidity into the present invention and the sampling of humidity frompiping connected to sterilizer. Then it will compare sampled humiditywith the threshold (starting internal humidity). It can also sample theopen-door humidity emissions and compare it to the staring set valuebefore door was opened. Humidity, may be sensed by two SHT11 sensors andusing an Arduino microprocessor. Sensor readings may be processed anddisplay on a Nextion 3.2″ display. The display may show set-humidity(start humidity) and present humidity emissions from the load. Samplingmay also be accomplished by opening door and monitoring humidityemissions and comparing it to a staring set value before the door wasopened. Sample humidity is pulled into bottom of control enclosurethrough vents. Using same 40 mm fans and processed as for mentioned. Forthe enclosure and wiring, there is a LCD or LED display that shows theset-value (starting value) humidity and chamber humidity. When startinghumidity and chamber humidity are the same or close, the operator willthen remove sterile packs/instruments from sterilizer. This will provideanother level of assurance that the sterile load is not wet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a closed sterilizer in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an open sterilizer in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of humidity detector options in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of humidity detector options in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a diagram in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a method in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a steam quality sterilizer system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of a steam quality monitor system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein,could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is notintended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merelyrepresentative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodimentsin accordance with the invention. The presently described embodimentswill be best understood by reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a sterilizer 100 includes a humidity device 102 attachedabove the sterilizer door 106. The humidity device 102 may include amount 104 for attaching or mounting humidity device 102 to sterilizer100. Mount 104 may be a hanger, bracket or other attachment device forattaching humidity device 102 to sterilizer 100. Door 106 may open at ornear opening 108 allowing an internal humidity level to be detected byhumidity detector 102. Humidity detector 102 may be used to detectmechanical or electrical problems with sterilizer 100. At the completionof a sterile cycle, humidity inside of the sterilizer and humidityoutside of the sterilizer should be equal or nearly the same. Ifsterilizer 100 short cycles due to operator control or has a mechanicaland/or electrical problem, humidity detector 100 can alert an operatorof a wet pack condition. Wet packs of surgical instruments are notconsidered sterile and cannot be safely used in a surgical procedure.Humidity detector 102 may include one or more humidity input ports114/116 and one or more humidity output ports 112/110. Humidity detector102 may also include local and remote humidity sample triggers and/orindicators 120. Sterilizer 100 may additionally include a printer,memory, or remote storage device for logging, displaying, or printinghumidity readings, temperature readings, pressure readings, differentialhumidity readings, differential temperature readings, differentialpressure readings, or combinations thereof. Logged data may indicate toa user of sterilizer 100 that the sterilizer cycle was completed withinnormal or abnormal operating conditions and whether the instrumentswithin the sterilizer meet minimum acceptable sterilization standards. Aprocessor within sterilizer device 102 or a remote computer may assign abatch number or processing number to a sterile cycle lot (batch ofsurgical instruments sterilized together) and report the logged dataincluding data falling inside and outside of acceptable ranges to aremote database server or other printer or memory device of sterilizer100. Report of a completed sterile cycle may be transmitted by text,SMS, email, push notification, and/or other audio, visual, or tactiledevice to inform a user of the result of the sterile cycle.

FIG. 2 shows a sterilizer 200 including a humidity device 202 attachedabove the sterilizer door 206. The humidity device 202 may include amount 204 for attaching or mounting humidity device 202 to sterilizer200. Mount 204 may be a hanger, bracket or other attachment device forattaching humidity device 202 to sterilizer 200. Door 206 may open at ornear opening 208 allowing an internal humidity level 215/217 to bedetected by humidity detector 202. Humidity detector 202 may be used todetect mechanical or electrical problems with sterilizer 200. At thecompletion of a sterile cycle, humidity inside of the sterilizer 215/217and humidity outside of the sterilizer should be equal or nearly thesame. If sterilizer 200 short cycles due to operator 222 control or hasa mechanical and/or electrical problem, humidity detector 200 can alertan operator 222 of a wet pack condition. Wet packs of surgicalinstruments are not considered sterile and cannot be safely used in anoperation. Humidity detector 202 may include one or more humidity inputports 214/216 and one or more humidity output ports 212/210. Humiditydetector 202 may also include local and remote humidity sample triggersand/or indicators 220. In one example, operator 222 approachedsterilizer 200 and desires to end a sterile cycle early. Operator 222then triggers or takes a sample humidity reading by pushing a local 220sample button or a remote sample button on the floor (not shown) whiledoor 206 is closed. When the closed-door humidity reading is obtained,operator 222 may open door 206 and trigger a second open-door humidityreading representative of a humidity within sterilizer 200. Operator maythen determine that the readings are equal or within a predeterminedthreshold of each other leading to a conclusion that the surgical packswithin sterilizer are dry. If, on the other hand, the humidity readingsare not equal or within a predetermined threshold, a conclusion can bemade that the surgical packs are wet and not safe to use. Humidityreadings outside of a proper range may indicate the sterile cycle wasprematurely ended or that the sterilizer has a mechanical and/orelectrical problem. An indicator may be used to notify an operator ormaintenance person if a sterile cycle was prematurely ended or ifmaintenance is needed. Various humidity threshold range deviations maybe correlated with and be used to indicate specific sterilizer problems.Sterilizer 200 may additionally include a printer, memory, or remotestorage device for logging, displaying, or printing humidity readings,temperature readings, pressure readings, differential humidity readings,differential temperature readings, differential pressure readings, orcombinations thereof. Logged data may indicate to a user of sterilizer200 that the sterilizer cycle was completed within normal or abnormaloperating conditions and whether the instruments within the sterilizermeet minimum acceptable sterilization standards. A processor withinsterilizer device 202 or a remote computer may assign a batch number orprocessing number to a sterile cycle lot (batch of surgical instrumentssterilized together) and report the logged data including data fallinginside and outside of acceptable ranges to a remote database server orother printer or memory device of sterilizer 200. Report of a completedsterile cycle may be transmitted by text, SMS, email, push notification,and/or other audio, visual, or tactile device to inform a user of theresult of the sterile cycle.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. At step 302, a closed-door humidity readingis taken. This reading may be triggered by a motion sensor, a pushbutton, or a proximity sensor. At step 304, an open-door humidityreading is taken. This reading may be manually or automaticallytriggered as the door is opened. A door switch, motion sensor, proximitysensor, or manual button may be used to trigger the sampling of humidityexiting from within the sterilizer as the sterilizer door is opened. Atstep 306, a determination is made based on the open-door read and theclosed-door reading. If the readings are within a predeterminedthreshold, such as 5% or less, then the packs are ready and dry 308. Ifthe readings are outside of a predetermined threshold, such as above 5%,then the packs are wet 310 and cannot be used. The predeterminedthreshold setting may be set by an operator or maintenance person andmay be adjusted based on normal humidity variability within a specificroom, region, or area.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram 400 of humidity detector options in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, components ofdiagram 400 may be internal to a sterilizer machine and factoryinstalled when the sterilizer was originally built. In anotherembodiment, some or all of the components of diagram 400 are retrofittedto an existing sterilizer machine. Microprocessor 402 may be amicrocontroller with analog inputs, digital inputs, relay output, highvoltage inputs and outputs or any other type ofmicroprocessor/microcontroller including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, embeddedprocessors, application specific integrated circuits, micro-logiccontrollers, computer processors, cell phone processors, iPadprocessors, tablet processors, etc. Humidity sensors 404/406 may be anytype of humidity sensor including resistive, inductive, reactive,capacitive, image based, and/or spectrographic. While two humiditysensors 404/406 are shown, more than two may be used and in someembodiments multiple humidity sensor readings may be averaged. Multiplehumidity readings from the same humidity sensor and/or multiple humidityreadings from multiple sensors may be averaged or integrated over time.Sample switches 408 may include motion sensors, timed switching relays,push buttons, switches, and/or proximity sensors. Motion sensors 410 maybe located on a humidity detection device, on a sterilizer machine, ornear a door of a sterilizer machine. Display 412 may be an LED display,LCD display, indicator, monitor, or any other display device. Powersupply 414 may provide power to microprocessor 402, one or more fans416, vacuum generator 424, sensors 410/404/406, display 412, alarm 422,indicator lights 420, door lock 418, and any other device used with thehumidity detector. One or more valves 430 may be used to vent steam,isolate an inner area of a sterilizer from an outer area around thesterilizer, sample steam, read temperatures inside and outside of asterilizer, read pressures inside and outside of a sterilizer, readpressures inside and outside of a steam line, read saturation ofincoming steam, or any combination thereof. Pressure sensors 426 may beused to read pressure in a supply steam line, within a sterilizationchamber, and/or within a boiler chamber of a sterilizer. Temperaturesensors 428 may be used to read temperatures in a supply steam line,within a sterilization chamber, around an outside area of a sterilizerand/or within a boiler system of a sterilizer. Output logging device 432may be a printer, display, LEDs, audible alarms, electronic notificationsystems such as texting systems, SMS systems, email systems, computersystems, and/or database server systems. Output logging device 432 mayindicate to a sterilizer operator or to another hospital quality controlperson results of each sterilizer cycle and any out-of-normal conditionsassociated with temperature, pressure, steam quality, humidity levels,and pass/fail data information on each sterilizer lot.Microprocessor/microcontroller 402 may determine if a sterilizer cyclemeets minimum requirements for a successful sterilization process beforeunlocking a lock on the sterilizer. An unlock code may be required toopen the sterilizer if it fails thus providing a second level ofauthorization when a sterilizer cycle fails. An incoming steam supplyline may be monitored by microprocessor/microcontroller 402 to determineif the incoming steam is within proper steam temperature/pressure levelsfor a sterilizer to function properly. If input steam is outside ofnormal conditions, microcontroller may cause steam to vent untilacceptable steam conditions are present before starting a sterilizercycle. Sterilizer cycle monitoring may include logging all parameters oftemperature, pressure, steam quality, and time throughout a sterilizercycle to insure the sterilizer is functioning within set qualityparameters.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram 500 of humidity detector options in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. Humidity detector 518 may use fans416 (FIG. 4) to draw air from a bottom side 504 to a top side 506 ofhumidity detector 518. Motion sensors 510/509 may be mounted directly tohumidity detector 518 or may be remote from the enclosure 518. Motionsensors 510 and 509 may be angled to sense motion in different regionsof space. For instance, sensor 509 may be angled to receive movementfrom a door of a sterilizer while sensor 510 may be angled to receivemovement of an operator approaching a sterilizer machine. Sensor 510 maytrigger a closed-door humidity sample reading as the operator approachesthe sterilizer and sensor 509 may trigger a closed-door humidity readingafter the operator opens the door of the sterilizer. Audio/visualindicators 507/508 and/or 514 may be activated as a result of a wet packdetection or dry pack detection. A green light may indicate the pack orpacks are dry while a red light may indicate that packs are wet. Anaudible alarm 514 may sound if wet packs are detected to alert theoperator of wet packs. A door lock 522 may be enabled if the packs arewet and disabled if the packs are dry. Remote sensors/switches 520/524may be used to remotely sample humidity and to remotely trigger humiditysampling.

FIG. 6 shows a sterilizer 602 with a venting system designed to samplehumidity inside of sterilizer 602 and outside of sterilizer 602. At thecompletion of a sterile cycle, a valve 612 may be opened to take ahumidity reading within sterilizer 602. Humidity 620 may be drawn upthrough humidity detector 610 by a vacuum generator 606 and vented outat 604. Humidity detector 610 may compare an inside humidity to anoutside humidity based on a predetermined humidity threshold anddetermine if packs are wet or dry and give a wetness/dryness indicationto an operator of the sterilizer. The predetermined threshold may be setby an operator or maintenance person based on normal humidity variationsof a room, area, or region.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a method 700 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. At step 702 a long-range motion is detectedwith a motion detector as an operator approached a sterilizer machine.At step 704, one or more closed-door humidity readings are taken, andthe lowest or averaged humidity reading is stored, averaged, and/ordisplayed. At step 706, a close-range motion is detected with a motiondetector as a door of the sterilizer is opened and one or more open-doorhumidity readings are stored, averaged, and/or displayed. A door switch,motion sensor, proximity sensor, or manual button may be used to triggerthe sampling of humidity exiting from within the sterilizer as thesterilizer door is opened. At step 708, a determination is made based onthe open-door read and the closed-door reading. If the readings arewithin a predetermined threshold, such as 5% or less, then the packs areready and dry 710. If the readings are outside of a predeterminedthreshold, such as above 5%, then the packs are wet 712 and cannot beused. The predetermined threshold setting may be set by an operator ormaintenance person and may be adjusted based on normal humidityvariability within a specific room, region, or area.

FIG. 8 shows a steam quality sterilizer system 800 in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. A steam quality sterilizer system 800includes a processor and memory 808, a steam pressure sensor 806, asteam temperature sensor 804, a sterilizer 802, steam input supply 812,and steam quality output device 810. Processor/memory 808 may be thesame processor/controller used in the steam dryness detector shown inFIG. 4 or may be a separate microprocessor/micro-controller. Steampressure sensor 806 may be any suitable pressure transducer useable withsteam pressures and steam temperatures. Steam temperature sensor 804 maybe a resistive, capacitive, junction, electro-mechanical, or any otheravailable temperature transducer. Pressure and Temperature transducers806/804 may be connected to an inlet or supply steam line 812. Supplystem line 812 may be house steam supplied from a remote boiler or may belocal steam supplied from a boiler within a sterilizer machine.Sterilizer 802 uses steam to sterilize surgical equipment within normalsafety control limits. Processor/memory 808 is able to calculate steamquality related to pressure, temperature, and steam saturation anddetermine if input steam 812 is of good quality, fair quality, marginalquality, or poor quality and report the steam quality to an outputquality device 810. Output quality device 810 may be a display, one ormore lights, a computer system with notification capabilities, or adatabase server with programming to report steam quality of each sterilecycle of sterilizer 802 to one or more users, safety systems, compliancesystems or hospital personnel. An input-steam or supply steam qualityreporting system may report steam quality data to one or more systems,devices, users, or compliance systems. A report for each sterile cyclemay be generated detailing steam quality, dryness of surgicalinstruments, temperatures throughout the cycle, steam quality throughoutthe cycle, and/or pressures throughout the cycle.

In FIG. 9, a steam quality process monitor flow diagram 900 is shown. Asupply steam temperature 902 and a supply steam pressure 904 is detectedusing sensors and sensor data representative of the temperature andpressure is used as an input to a system for determining incoming steamquality 906. Steam quality may be determined by a combination of boththe temperature and pressure of the steam. Steam quality may bedetermined by a saturation value of the seam. Steam saturation valuesmay be determined by using steam saturation tables or by calculationsbased on values of the supply temperature and supply pressure. Steamquality determination may be used to modify operational functionality ofa machine based on a steam quality value 908 determined by the supplytemperature and supply pressure of the steam. Supply temperature 902 maybe determined by using one or more temperature sensors such asthermocouples, RTDs, thermopiles, resistive junctions, combinationsthereof, and other known temperature sensing means. Supply pressure 904may be determined by using one or more pressure transducers, pressuresensors, strain gauges, and other known pressure sensing technologies.Steam quality 906 may be determined by using a computer, microprocessor,microcontroller, or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)specifically programmed to execute non-transitory processing/memoryfunctions allowing the supply pressure and temperature data to be readand processed to determine a near real-time dynamically changing steamquality value. The dynamically changing steam quality value may be usedto change, on-the-fly, operational functionality of a machine in midcycle of a machine process. For example, a sterilizer may start asterile cycle with a blow down of steam until an acceptable supply steamquality is achieved before allowing the steam to enter the sterilizationchamber. When an acceptable steam quality is detected then a processormay allow the sterile cycle to continue. If a predetermined steamquality is not reached, a notification may be sent out that the supplysteam is not acceptable, maintenance may be triggered, and/oralarming/notifying an operator of a supply problem. Supply steam may befacility supplied steam (house steam) or may be built in machinegenerated supply steam. In another example, a sterilizer starts asterile cycle and the supply steam quality changes mid cycle. Thesterilizer may dynamically lengthen its cycle time to achieve acceptablesterilization results based on preprogrammed acceptable sterilizationcriteria, the sterilizer may lengthen out a post dry cycle time (if thesteam is too wet), the sterilizer may send notifications to maintenanceor users of the sterilizer, the sterilizer may log all supply steamquality changes before, during and after each sterile cycle, and/orboost the supply steam quality by using an inline supply steam heatingsystem. The inline supply heating system may be internal to thesterilizer machine or external. Preprogrammed, predetermined supplysteam quality values may be used to control, dynamically, programmedfunctions and mechanical functions of a machine to optimize machinefunctionality and product quality.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from their spirit or essentialcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than bythe foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A steam quality process monitor comprising:a temperature sensor; a pressure sensor; a processor and memoryconfigured to: determine a steam quality value of an input steam supplybased on a reading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressuresensor, wherein the steam quality value is a saturation value of theinput steam supply and the steam saturation value causes a dynamicchange within a dry-time cycle of the machine; continuously update thesteam quality value; and a machine that accepts the input steam supplyand is at least partially controlled by the steam quality value.
 2. Thesteam quality process monitor of claim 1, wherein the dynamic change ofa cycle of the machine is within a failure cycle of the machine.
 3. Thesteam quality process monitor of claim 1, wherein the dynamic change ofa cycle of the machine is within a notification cycle of the machine. 4.The steam quality process monitor of claim 1, wherein the dynamic changeof a cycle of the machine is within a sanitation cycle of the machine.5. The steam quality process monitor of claim 1, wherein the dynamicchange of a cycle of the machine is within an alarm cycle of themachine.
 6. The steam quality process monitor of claim 1, wherein thedynamic change of a cycle of the machine is within a wash cycle of themachine.
 7. The steam quality process monitor of claim 6, wherein themachine is one of a sterilizer, a dishwasher, a boiler, a steam heater,or a steam cleaner.
 8. A sterilizer steam control system comprising: atemperature sensor; a pressure sensor; a processor and memory configuredto: determine a steam quality value of an input steam supply based on areading of the temperature sensor and a reading the pressure sensor,wherein the steam quality value is a saturation value of the input steamsupply and the steam saturation value causes a dynamic change within adry-time cycle of the machine; continuously update the steam qualityvalue; and wherein the sterilizer accepts the input steam supply and isat least partially controlled by the steam quality value.
 9. Thesterilizer of claim 8, wherein the dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer is within a failure cycle of the sterilizer.
 10. Thesterilizer of claim 8, wherein the dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer is within a notification cycle of the sterilizer.
 11. Thesterilizer of claim 8, wherein the dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer is within a sanitation cycle of the sterilizer.
 12. Thesterilizer of claim 8, wherein the dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer is within an alarm cycle of the sterilizer.
 13. Thesterilizer of claim 8, wherein the dynamic change of a cycle of thesterilizer is within a purge cycle of the machine.
 14. The sterilizer ofclaim 8, further comprising visual indicators representing the dynamicchange within a cycle of the sterilizer.